I first met Amy and Ryan three years ago. They were newly engaged and planning their wedding for early spring 2013. Ryan had just pulled off an amazing proposal by carving out “Will you marry me?” onto a rock on the banks of the Youghiogheny River, and then taking Amy on a fall hike to the rock and surprising her by dropping to one knee with a diamond ring. She said yes and a few months later Ashley hung on to the back of my pants as I dangled out over the frozen river shooting their engagement photos at Ohiopyle. We all nearly got hypothermia but it was worth it! They were married that April before the leaves popped and now three years later I had the privilege to meet up with them again just in time for their first baby’s first birthday. Since December was so mild this year, we enjoyed some outdoor winter family photos at their new house.
Lola having fun in the backyard with her Mom and Dad 🙂
Even her cousins stopped by for a quick group photo for Grandma! I remember these boys from Ryan and Amy’s wedding. (The best brother team of ringbearers I’ve ever met!) They are definitely going to look out for her as she grows up.
No props needed. I know there’s a trend these days to have themed photos, especially of kids, with elaborate sets and digital backgrounds. Trust me when I say that just being together and being yourself is enough for wonderful photos.
Thirty years from now when today’s kids are all grown up, they’ll care more about photos with their family than pictures with Santa.
This beautiful little girl will be able to see how much her mom and daddy loved her already. Maybe they will even still live in the same house and she’ll be able to take photos of her kids on the same front steps and measure their height against how tall the pine trees are in her childhood back yard. Photos that show the love between people and give them a sense of place connecting the future to the past are the most precious gifts we can give both to ourselves and our loved ones.
I’m grateful to have met you guys! I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of your story will hold 🙂
